Oregon put on probation, loses scholarship

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2011 file photo, Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly leads the team onto the field for an NCAA college football game against Missouri State in Eugene, Ore. The NCAA has taken away a scholarship and placed Oregon's football program on probation for three years for recruiting violations under previous coach Chip Kelly. The NCAA's Division I Infractions Committee released a report on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, that found Kelly and the university failed to monitor the progr
— AP

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2011 file photo, Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly leads the team onto the field for an NCAA college football game against Missouri State in Eugene, Ore. The NCAA has taken away a scholarship and placed Oregon's football program on probation for three years for recruiting violations under previous coach Chip Kelly. The NCAA's Division I Infractions Committee released a report on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, that found Kelly and the university failed to monitor the progr
/ AP

Seastrunk redshirted for the Ducks his freshman year before transferring to Baylor just before the start of the 2011 season.

The infractions committee found that Lyles provided cash and free lodging to a prospect, and engaged in impermissible calls and off-campus contact with prospects, their families and high school coaches.

It also said the football program exceeded coaching limits by allowing staff members to engage in recruiting activity.

The NCAA said Kelly was unaware of Lyles' involvement in recruiting, but the committee noted it is the head coach's responsibility to know the rules and ensure staff and coaches comply with them.

"Throughout this process, there has been speculation and innuendo regarding the nature and severity of potential violations, much of which was unfounded," Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said in a statement. "As stated by the NCAA Enforcement Staff, the violations committed in this case were unintentional. The University of Oregon remains committed to fair play, integrity and the best interests of our student-athletes. We have all learned from this experience and look forward to continuing the progress of broad-based excellence in Oregon athletics."

Under Kelly, the Ducks appeared in four straight BCS bowl games - including a bid for the national championship against Auburn in 2011. Oregon finished 12-1 last season, capped by a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

He was replaced by offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who will make his debut as head coach on Aug. 31.

Oregon was previously penalized by the NCAA in 2004 for a major violation involving the improper recruitment of a junior college player by an assistant coach. The university was put on probation for two years and the unidentified assistant coach was suspended without pay for a week and restricted from some recruiting activities.

The Ducks remained eligible for postseason play and did not lose any scholarships because of that violation, which occurred in 2003.